Sarah Whelan

A Christmas Carol shows us one terrible day in Ebenezer Scrooge's life, but have you ever wondered what came before his fateful encounter with the ghosts of Christmas time? What happened to turn him into the scowling, penny-pinching old man we think we know so well? There is so much more to this character--possibly more than Charles Dickens himself could ever have imagined. Scrooge has compelling reasons for hating Christmas, for rejecting his fianc e and his precious nephew, and for employing Tiny Tim's father, despite his obvious incompetence. He is a doting uncle, beloved brother, successful businessman, and passionate lover, but a dark secret puts both him and his loved ones at risk. Scrooge struggles to embrace his true self and live in defiance of the Victorian era's repressive moral standards. Soul-crushing losses and his own destructive choices shape his fate into a twisted path of sorrow, frustration, and uncertainty--but also happiness, fulfillment, and love. Scrooge's own words sum it up best: "How delightfully queer life is."

As a counselor at the maximum-security Arnone State Correctional Institution, Beth Sharpe sees potential in intelligent prisoners like Jose Ayala. She teaches them about historical figures who confronted their oppressors, and she encourages them to overcome obstacles-both those of their own making and those imposed on them by society. When their only chance for redemption is taken away, Jose and other prisoners follow Beth's advice and take a stand against the injustice. But a deadly prison riot is not what she had in mind. Indiscretions become public, and mistakes have dire consequences. Beth is determined to end the violence, and she is willing to risk her own life to save others. Can she stop the carnage and help the prisoners achieve justice another way? Can she balance her conflicting loyalties and find a peaceful resolution to the riot? The Struggle Within is a novel with diverse characters, page-turning action, and ethical ambiguities that will leave your book club talking for hours.